Ophthalmic lens package and methods of its use

ABSTRACT

An ophthalmic lens package includes a pair of removably attached strip members and a pair of absorbent members sandwiched therebetween.

This application is a non-provisional filing of a provisional application, U.S. Ser. No. 60/717,493, filed on Sep. 15, 2005.

1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ophthalmic lens package and, more particularly, to an ophthalmic lens package adapted for improved accessibility to the contents thereof.

1. Background of the Invention Ophthalmic lenses, including contact lenses, intra-ocular lenses and overlay lenses and particularly disposable contact lenses, have been conventionally packaged in “blister packs.” In general, a blister pack comprises a rigid plastic (e.g., polypropylene), concave-shaped receptacle for receiving an ophthalmic lens and a flexible cover, typically made from a laminate material (such as metal foil), which is removably attached to the receptacle for enclosing the lens therein. Within each blister pack are a single ophthalmic lens and a sufficient amount of contact lens solution to prevent drying of the ophthalmic lens and to maintain the ophthalmic lens readily available for use. While conventional blister packs provide many users with a convenient means for shipping and storing ophthalmic lenses, some users have difficulty grasping the cover portion of the blister package and are frustrated by the process. This frustration can encourage those users to use sharp instruments to open their packages which can damage both the user and the lens. Accordingly, there is a need for an ophthalmic lens package that provides easy access to its contents (i.e., contact lens and contact lens solution) on a consistent basis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a ophthalmic lens package constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a closed position;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the ophthalmic lens package of FIG. 1 in an open position;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view, of a ophthalmic lens package of the invention in an open position; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of the ophthalmic lens package shown in FIG. 1 in an open position.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of the ophthalmic lens package.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention includes an ophthalmic lens package, comprising a first strip member comprising a first side, a second side, and a first absorbent member, wherein said first absorbent member is attached to a portion of said first side of said first strip member; a second strip member comprising a first side, a second side, and a second absorbent member wherein said second absorbent member is attached to a portion of said first side of said second strip member; said first and second strip members being removably attached each other when said package is closed position, said first and second absorbent members being adapted to receive and house an ophthalmic lens and an amount of solution when said package is closed.

As used herein, “ophthalmic lens” refer to a device that resides on the eye, including but not limited to soft contact, lenses, hard contact lenses, intraocular lenses, overlay lenses, preferably soft contact lenses.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a contact lens package 10 includes a pair of strip members 12, 14 and a pair of pillow-shaped absorbent members 16, 18. The functions of the strip members 12, 14 and the absorbent members 16, 18 shall be described hereinafter. The strip member 12 is a rectangular shape, and includes first side 20, and an opposed second side 22 (not shown), and tab 30 that extends from the strip member 12. Similarly, the strip member 14 is a rectangular shape and includes first side 24, and an opposed second side 26 (not shown), and tab 31 that extends strip member 14. Strip members 12, 14 can be any shape, and preferably they are identical in size and shape to each other. The tabs 30, 31 are juxtaposed with one another when the strip members 12, 14 are attached to each other (i.e., when the package 10 is in a closed position), which will be described in more detail hereinafter. Also, the functions of the tabs 30, 31 shall be described hereinafter.

Referring to FIG. 2, the absorbent member 16 is positioned on the first side 20 of strip member 12. Absorbent member has two surfaces 16 a and an opposed surface 16 b (not shown). Surface 16 b is attached to first side 20 of strip 12. Preferably, the size of surface 16 a is smaller than strip member 12. Preferably size of surface 16 a is equal to or larger than the diameter of a lens in the flattened position. Similarly, absorbent member 18 has two surfaces 18 a and an opposed surface 18 b (not shown). Surface 18 b is attached to first side 24 of strip member 14. Preferably, the size of surface 18 a is smaller than strip member 14. Preferably the size of surface 18 a is equal to or larger than the diameter of a lens in the flattened position. Preferably absorbent members 16 and 18 are the same size and shape and attached to their respective strip members by an adhesive known in the art.

The absorbent members 16, 18 are saturated with contact lens solution (not shown in the Figures), which can be any known solution useful for storing contact lenses. Examples of contact lens solution include but are not limited to saline solution, water or buffered aqueous solutions, and the preferred solution is aqueous saline solution. The contact lens solution is present in a quantity sufficient to keep the contact lens 60 saturated to retain its intended shape (i.e. convex shape) and softness when released from package 10.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a portion of strip member 12 includes an annular area 32 that extends around the periphery of the absorbent member 16. Similarly, a portion of strip member 14 includes an annular area 33 that extends around the periphery of strip member 14. When package 10 is closed annular sealing areas 32 and 33 are attached to each other, preferably by heat sealing. Alternatively, other attachment means, such as adhesives, induction sealing or sonic welding, may be utilized to attach the annular sealing areas 32, 33 to each other. An impermeable seal (not shown in the Figures) is formed between areas 32, 33 in order to prevent the loss or evaporation of the solution from the package 10 and to prevent contamination of the contents thereof from foreign objects such as debris and dirt particles Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the package 10 is opened as follows. A user uses his or her finger(s) or other means to separate the tabs 30, and 31 from their juxtaposed position. Next, the user simultaneously pulls each of the tabs, and peels apart the strip members 12, 14, thus breaking the seal between the annular areas 32 and 33. When the aforesaid seal is broken and the strip members 12, 14 are separated, the contact lens 60 is exposed, adhered to one of the two absorbent sponges and made accessible to the user. Additional embodiments of the invention are depicted in the following figures.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, surface 18 a of absorbent member 18 contains a die cut “X”. With this modification when the package is opened, the contact lens adheres to surface 16 a of absorbent sponge 16. Aside from the “X” there are other methods of modifying the absorbent member to have the ophthalmic lens adhere preferentially to one member. Such modifications include increasing the surface roughness of one absorbent member, cutting different figures into one absorbent member, and other methods known to those of reasonable skill. The embodiment includes finger sleeve 40 which is attached to second side 22 of strip member 12. Finger sleeve 40 is attached to second side 22 of strip 12 along end 61 and sides 70 and 71. Finger sleeve 40 is not attached at end 62 of strip 12. Finger sleeve 40 allows users to insert a finger 63 or other objects between second side 22 and finger sleeve 40. When this embodiment is opened, contact lens 60 adheres to absorbent sponge 16. The user may insert an insertion aid such as a rubber rod, or his or her finger between the finger sleeve 40 and second side 22. Subsequently the use may use the strip member 12 to assist in the insertion of lens 60 into his or her eye.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the invention. Second side 22 contains a pressure sensitive adhesive (not shown) at a location along the strip in the vicinity of absorbent pad 16, (attached to first side 20 of strip 12). Side 22 may contain an illustration that instructs a user to place an insertion aid (i.e.his/her finger) on the pressure sensitive adhesive in order to aid the user in the placement of lens 60 in his/her eye.

The strip members 12, 14 are each, preferably, manufactured from a foil/polymer laminate or coextrusion, comprising a metal layer, such as aluminum, and a polymer layer, such as polypropylene, coating the metal layer. Alternatively, the strip members 12, 14 can be manufactured from other materials, such as a combination of polymers with various barrier and sealing characteristics formed into a laminate or coextrusion. Finger sleeve 40 and 41 (described below) may be manufactured from the same materials as strip member 12 and 14, or from other flexible materials such as polymers or foils that are not laminates or coextrusion products. Each of the absorbent members 16, 18 is preferably manufactured from an absorbent sponge material, such as MEROCEL® brand polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) sponge, manufactured by Medtronic Xomed, Inc. Each of the absorbent members may be manufactured from other materials. The material of the absorbent member should be should be able to absorb about 500 μL to about 1500 μL of solution, more preferably about 900 μL to about 1,000 μL.

As previously mentioned, the absorbent members 16, 18 are, preferably, separate and distinct members. Alternatively, the package 10 may include a single frangible absorbent member capable of being torn apart at a weakened section along its medial axis (not shown in the Figures) when the package 10 is opened in the manner previously described.

The invention includes a method of packaging an ophthalmic lens comprising inserting an ophthalmic lens between a first absorbent member and

-   -   a second absorbent member of a package, said package comprises a         first strip member comprising a first side, a second side, and         said first absorbent member wherein said first absorbent member         is attached to a portion of said first side, wherein a portion         of said first side further comprises an annular sealing area         which surrounds the perimeter of said first absorbent member;     -   a second strip member comprising a first side, a second side,         and said second absorbent member, wherein said second absorbent         member is attached to a portion of said first side, wherein said         first side further comprises an annular sealing area which         surrounds the perimeter of said second absorbent member wherein         said first and second absorbent members receive and house an         ophthalmic lens and an amount of solution when said package is         closed; and

-   sealing said annular sealing area of said first strip member to said     annular sealing area of said second strip member to close said     package.

Further the invention includes ophthalmic lens package, comprising a first strip member comprising a first side, a second side, and a first absorbent member, wherein said first absorbent member is attached to a portion of said first side of said first strip member;

-   a second strip member comprising a first side, a second side, and a     second absorbent member wherein said second absorbent member is     attached to a portion of said first side of said second strip     member; -   said first and second strip members being removably attached each     other when said package is closed position, said first and second     absorbent members being adapted to receive and house an ophthalmic     lens and an amount of solution when said package is closed, -   wherein said second side of said first strip member further     comprises a means for holding said second side of said first strip     member to an insertion aid.

Still further the invention includes a method of inserting an ophthalmic lens into the eye of a user comprising opening a package comprising a first strip member comprising a first side, a second side, and a first absorbent member, wherein said first absorbent member is attached to a portion of said first side of said first strip member;

-   a second strip member comprising a first side, a second side, and a     second absorbent member wherein said second absorbent member is     attached to a portion of said first side of said second strip     member, -   said first and second strip members being removably attached each     other when said package is closed position, said first and second     absorbent members being adapted to receive .and house an ophthalmic     lens and an amount of solution when said package is closed, -   wherein said second side of said first strip member further     comprises a means for holding said second side of said first strip     member to an insertion aid and said second absorbent member     comprises a die cut “X”; -   inserting user's finger between said means for holding and said     first strip member -   inserting the ophthalmic lens which is removably adhered to said     first absorbent member into the user's eye.

It will be understood that the embodiments described herein is merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Specifically, the present invention has been adapted for use in housing a single ophthalmic lens and an amount of solution. However, the present invention can be utilized to house a plurality of ophthalmic lenses and an amount of solution therefor. Further features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on a reading of the detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, which is given below by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 

1. An ophthalmic lens package, comprising a first strip member comprising a first side, a second side, and a first absorbent member, wherein said first absorbent member is attached to a portion of said first side of said first strip member; a second strip member comprising a first side, a second side, and a second absorbent member wherein said second absorbent member is attached to a portion of said first side of said second strip member; said first and second strip members being removably attached each other when said package is closed position, said first and second absorbent members being adapted to receive and house an ophthalmic lens and an amount of solution when said package is closed.
 2. The package of claim 1, further comprising means for separating said first and second strip members from each other.
 3. The package of claim 2, wherein the means for separating said first and second strip members from each other comprises a first tab extending from said first strip member and a second tab extending from said second strip member wherein both tabs are juxtaposed when said package is in the closed position.
 4. The package of claim 1 wherein said second absorbent member further comprises a die cut “X”
 5. The package of claim 4 wherein said second side of said first strip member further comprises a means for holding said second side of said first strip member to an insertion aid.
 6. The package of claim 1 wherein said insertion aid is a user's finger.
 7. The package of claim 1 wherein said means for holding said second side of said first strip member is a finger sleeve.
 8. The package of claim 1 wherein said means for holding said second side of said first strip is a pressure sensitive adhesive.
 9. The package of claim 5, further comprising illustrated or printed instructions that instruct the user to open said package.
 10. The package of claim 1 further comprising illustrated or printed instructions that instruct the user to open said package.
 11. The package of claim 5, further comprising illustrated or printed instructions that instruct the user to open the package and insert ophthalmic
 12. The package of claim 1 wherein the second absorbent member is modified to enable the ophthalmic lens to adhere to the first absorbent member when the package is opened.
 13. A method of inserting an ophthalmic lens into the eye of a user comprising opening a package comprising a first strip member comprising a first side, a second side, and a first absorbent member, wherein said first absorbent member is attached to a portion of said first side of said first strip member; a second strip member comprising a first side, a second side, and a second absorbent member wherein said second absorbent member is attached to a portion of said first side of said second strip member, said first and second strip members being removably attached each other when said package is closed position, said first and second absorbent members being adapted to receive and house an ophthalmic lens and an amount of solution when said package is closed, wherein said second side of said first strip member further comprises a means for holding said second side of said first strip member to an insertion aid and said second absorbent member comprises a die cut “X”; inserting user's finger between said means for holding and said first strip member inserting the ophthalmic lens which is removably adhered to said first absorbent member into the user's eye.
 14. A method of packaging an ophthalmic lens comprising inserting an ophthalmic lens between a first absorbent member and a second absorbent member of a package, said package comprises a first strip member comprising a first side, a second side, and said first absorbent member wherein said first absorbent member is attached to a portion of said first side, wherein a portion of said first side further comprises an annular sealing area which surrounds the perimeter of said first absorbent member; a second strip member comprising a first side, a second side, and said second absorbent member, wherein said second absorbent member is attached to a portion of said first side, wherein said first side further comprises an annular sealing area which surrounds the perimeter of said second absorbent member wherein said first and second absorbent members receive and house an ophthalmic lens and an amount of solution when said package is closed; and sealing said annular sealing area of said first strip member to said annular sealing area of said second strip member to close said package. 